Inhaler



(No Model.)

" R. C. COTTINGHAM.,

INHALBR.

No. 556,335. I Patented Mar. 17, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT CURTIS OO'ITINGIIAM, OF MOBERLY, MISSOURI.

INHALER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 556,335, dated March 1*?, 1896.

Application filed April 25, 1894.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT CURTIS Gor- TINGHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Moberly, in the county of Randolph and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Inhaler to be known as an Antiseptic Chemical Inhaler, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to inhalers, and my object is to produc-e a device of this character from which it is impossible for gas destined for direct application to the respiratory tract to escape; also an inhaler which is simple and inexpensive of manufacture.

With these objects in view the invention consists in certain novel and peculiar features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l a vertical central section of an inhaler embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. l.

In the said drawings a receptacle or bottle, preferably constructed of annealed glass, comprises the portion A, the portion K, diametrically smaller than and vertically below the portion A, and the portion B, which preferably exceeds in diameter the portion A and is vertically below the portion K. I-Iereinafter I will term the portion A the upper chamber, the portion B the lower chamber, and the portion K the neck,7 which connects the chambers A and B. The chambers preferably are of the relative proportions shown. At the point of connection between the chamber A and the neck K an annular shoulder ct is formed, and resting removably thereon is a perforated diaphragm or partition I), preferably of aluminum, and said plate is pierced centrally to form the circular opening d. The upper end of the receptacle or bottle is closed by a rubber cap or stopper G, said upper end or mouth of the receptacle or bottle being reinforced 0r strengthened by a metallic band or annulus II. The cap or stopper Gr is provided with three openings, and extending vertically through the central opening and the opening d of the diaphragm Serial No. 509,023. (No model.)

or partition and nearly to the bottom of the chamber B is the tube C. The opening F, which is ordinarily closed by a cork of the usual or any preferred construction, is adapted for passing drops of the required chemical into the upper chamber, A, as will be hereinafter more particularly referred to. Through the remaining opening of the cap or stopper depends the tubular stem, having a mouthpiece E. The end which is to be placed in the mouth will be slightly flattened from top to bottom for convenience.

To prepare the inhaler for practical application the required quantity of medicament is poured into the chamber B of the receptacle or bottle. The diaphragmD is nowplaced in position and the tube C inserted through the aperture d of said diaphragm. -A sponge or equivalent (not shown) is now placed in the chamber A upon said diaphragm and the cap G is fitted to tightly close the mouth or upper end of the said chamber. At the saine time the lower end of the tube C is submerged in the liquid in the chamber B, and thus forms practically a valve which prevents the escape of the gases formed through said tube to the outer air. Medicine of the proper kind and in the required quantity is dropped through the opening F upon the sponge to medicate the same and said opening is then closed. The gases rising from the chamber B pass through the perforated diaphragm and filtering through the sponge enter the upper chamber, A, where such gas mixes with the air and is stored in said chamber. The intervening space, represented by the neck K, prevents direct contact between the medicated sponge and the solution in the chamber B.

This device is to be used in the ordinary manner for effecting the direct application of volatile chemicals in the gaseous form to the respiratory tract.

From the above description it will be apparent that I have produced an inhaler which is simple and inexpensive of construction, convenient to handle and to supply with the required chemicals or to cleanse, and at the same time economical in use, owing to the fact that the liquid-valve with the rubber cap or stopper absolutely prevents the waste or unintentional escape of the gas.

It is to be understood, of course, thatslight IOO the registering openings of the diaphragm and the stopper to near the bottom of the receptaaie, zt cork or plug closing one of the side openings of the latter and et tube extending through the other side opening into the upper chamber, and provided With a mouthpiece at its outer end7 substantially as shown and described.

ROBERT CURTIS COT'IINGUAM.

Tituesses J. B. FREEMAN, A. P. TERRILL. 

